Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-01-21
LONG-WINDED CASE.

AtAIl bout the WRlingfOrd Fires
The Defense Not Allowed to show
Certain Evidence Regarding Alleged
Rrfbery-Morse's and manville's Rep.
utatfons.
The Morse arson case is not finished yet
and won't be until next week. After the
cross-examination of Mr.. Steele the defense
called upon Constable "Rod" Austin OF
Wallingford to take the stand. BOSNIAN
had testified that Austin, Wallace, Harrison
and Glover had visited him at the Jail and
with money inducements and whisky had
got him to make an affidavit. The defense
had it in their heads to pitch into Austin
and subject him to most vigorous examln-
alton. But their anticipations did not pan
out worth cent, for the judge ruled the
testimony out. eff you went to the jail
with Mr.. Harrison and had a conference
with BOSNIAN I want you to relate infinitely
what happened there" asked Mr. Case OF
the witness.
Of course Mr.. Doolittle piped out that he
objected to the question, to which Ar. case
forcibly said that the testimony on that point
was admissible, for there had been fraud and
bribery perpetrated in this case, Mr.. Case
continued, by the representatives OF the
State of Connecticut, whose laws we are
to prove it, The judge, however, ruled that
the question was a collateral one, which
might tend to confuse rather than to help
the jury.
A number of the leading citizens testified
that the reputation of Morse had always
been good.
Mrs. Frank Morse, wife of the accused,
testified positively that Frank did not go out
of the house on the night of the fire until al
ter the alarm was given.
Frank Morse was called. During the whole
of the trial he has occupied chair next to
his counsel He is young man about 20
years old, of medium stature, but rather
heavy. His face is full, rosy and rotund.
His facial muscles. are of the inhexibe sort,
never displaying twitch in them under the
most severe and perplexing questioning. He
maintained his own against Mr.Dool1ttle and
at times was not averse to giving sharp an
swers or talking back. The only embarrass-
ing sign he showed was flushed face. His
evasion of questions was unique, but MI
Doolittle always brought him to time.
The testimony of Morse was in substance
whole and complete denial of everything
testified to by Charles Manville. Hs knew
nothing at all about the catching of any FIRE
in Wallingford nor had any talk with Man
vile, as stated by the latter.
The defense rested after Morss's testimony.
In the afternoon the State began its rebuff
tai. Eli Brooks of Southbury, Thomas
Bristol of Brookfeld, John Beach of Bridge
water, P. J. Hawley of Brookfeld, Henry al.
Camp and E. H. Welton of Bridgeport were
called and testified that the reputation of
Charles and Henry Manville was good.
After this Morse was put GU to show why
he had left the name of Charles Manville off
his list of creditors when he made an assign
ment, He said it was purely an oversight on
his part In the Court of Probate in Walling-
ford when ask. d to make list OF his
creditors, he said it was question of mem
ory. His books had been burned in the fire.
Prosecution claimed he had left the name off
for purpose. In denial of this he said he had
also left off the list the names of eight or ten
other workmen. CHAD paid Manville but $40,
don't know whether in November OF DeceD1-
ber He kept writing me letters, and
thought to get rid of him l would pay him.
This was after my insolvency"
Witness then told of how Insurance Agent
Dean came to him in the summer of 1888
and advised him to take out short policies as
the works were being rebuilt after the May
fire. Took four months policies, as in that
time at the outside would be ready to begin
manufacturing. Said some time after that
that he would replace those policies for year
ly ones Did not have it done, however.
The witness further said that the glass
ware which had been stored in other parts
of the village, was taken there openly and in
broad daylight. After this material was
found, ftDick" Hull came and said he had
better compromise with the insurance COM
panies On his advice he did, but they never
made any allusion that the fire was an incen-
diary Insurance agents came after the fire
and wanted me to tell what was in the burn
ed building. Told them as nearly right as
could. They handed me the paper of the
proofs of the law and signed it. Did not
look it over. Never intended to put in this
proof of loss bill 81 worth of goods that
were not in the building. Insurance agents
claimed had collected insurance money on
goods which had stored in other places and
SO gave check for return of part of the mon
ey. 1t was never paid"
The witness was then asked about the
books. He said he kept them from about
the LIST of October till the time of the fire.
1.-THE books'' consisted of a small one, 4x6
inches, which he carried around in his coat
pocket "On night of fire it was in coat
pocket hanging in closet in the glass works
Kept my accounts in that book. 1t was
burned and that was the reason l could not
give complete list of my creditors. Was
writing at my desk night of the fire. Don't
remember what / was writing about"
Court then adjourned until this morning.